The diagnoses of ADD and ADHD can and does cause problems in the individual who suffers as well as the family who attempts to help. In no way am I saying eat this and avoid that - and you will be cured of ADD/ADHD.
It's a little more complex than that linear thinking, and...
What I will say with absolute conviction of science and common sense is you need certain foods to optimize health and to help negate dysfunction and disease.
We all know that loading up on Twinkies and Pop-Tarts is not a breakfast of champions. The simple carbohydrates of the "sugar high" every mother can relate to of, "what - NOT - to feed their child".
What you may not know, are the less obvious nutritional elements that can derail your attempt to support an atmosphere of concentration.
What you may be doing inadvertently that increases distraction which works against concentration enhancement - breakfast that is devoid of protein. I will assume you are eating breakfast - even though many of our patients think breakfast is a "suggestion".
Breakfast needs to have protein and complex carbohydrates. In other words a good breakfast would include eggs and blueberries (or any berry for that matter) along with lemon water. Why? Because complex carbs in berries allows sugar to be released slowly to the brain (which needs sugar/glucose to run properly) and protein reduces the chance of a spike in sugar (which prevents energy crashes). Water is needed for healthy brain function. Lemon juice helps with carbohydrate metabolism (and tastes great... no sugar and not from concentrate).
Compare what you just read with the following:
Cereal with cows, almond, or rice milk (I am assuming it's not the one with a Tiger, Dracula or Bee) with a large glass of OJ, and maybe toast and jelly.
Now, imagine a child with ADD/ADHD and you offer them (because you didn't know) a breakfast devoid of any meaningful protein BUT LOADED with simple carbohydrates (just like candy) - the net result, an adult or child STIMULATED. So you have just "sugared up" a kid that already has challenges with maintaining concentration levels.
With adults it gets even worse - just add the "cup of joe", which usually means 20 or more ounces of liquid stimulant.
Does this cause ADD/ADHD - it doesn't help and will hinder vital connections your child's brain must make for concentration and appropriate behavior control.
Of course your child must eat more than breakfast - there is also lunch and dinner. If these meals are similar to breafast - then trouble will continue.
What guidelines I advise: Protein, complex carbs, water at each meal. Especially, if you or your child are having concentration issues.
The high carbohydrate diets (breads, pasta, rice) use up important nutrients that you or your child need for proper brain function - namely B-vitamins. Because the B-vitamins are used up during carbohydrate metabolism - just means B vitamins are depleated when you eat simple carbohydrates.
Food that is devoid of Omega-3, and essential fat found in fish (brain food - remember) and nuts (Walnuts and Brazilian nuts) and seeds of chia and flax. Omega-3 especially DHA is needed for the structural elements of the brain (brain's building material) and EPA which helps with the connections between neurons (nerve cells) - which are necessary for proper communication.
The simple carbs along with too much Omega- 6's (found in vegatable oils - which are abdundent in processed foods) BLOCK the vital - ESSENTIAL oils needed to make the necessary connections for brain development and proper function.
Since new studies are showing that kids with ADD/ADHD have an area of their brain underdeveloped - it is just plain SMART to eat more of foods that help and avoid foods that harm.
Also, avoid all "diet" foods - especially avoiding artificial sugar substitutes(Diet soda - especially). Why, there is growing evidence that these chemical alternatives to plain sugar are worse than the sugar itself.
As a chiropractor that focuses on Structural Correction of the spine and knows that when an abnormal structural shift of the spine occurs this leads to Secondary Conditions, pain, headaches and lack of concentration. Just like a cable box on top of your TV - if the connection is interuppted the signal will be blurry giving you a poor picture or reception.
I advise my patients to build up a healthy nervous system (nerves, spinal cord and brain) and avoid foods that harm or distracts from a healthy nervous system. It really is easy to understand, which sometimes makes it hard to believe - that small additions and deletions make a HUGE difference in ones health.
Have a GREAT Day
